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Shaken or Stirred

Perdido Key Martini Festival Shows It's All about Personal Taste

When I was younger, let's say 8-years-old, there were certain things I didn't think I'd ever comprehend: how to file taxes, drive a car cross-country, foreign languages, the nutrition labels on the side of cereal boxes. These things were at one time daunting tasks and now they are all things I have done, or mastered.

It wasn't until I received the press release for the 3rd annual Perdido Key Martini Festival that I remembered the one thing on that list that still eludes meordering martinis.

BLAME BOND

I blame James Bond for making the martini intimidating and introducing the idea that one needs a certain amount of bravado when ordering one.  In Ian Fleming's 1953 novel "Casino Royale," Bond orders this concoction:

'" Dry martini... In a deep champagne gobletThree measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?"

Are you kidding me? It's exasperating. But I've been assured I shouldn't let that intimidate me.

"That's the beauty of this drink," a bartender at McGuire's tells me as he pours out another round for a group of UWF students. "It can be as simple or as intricate as you want it to be."

And now, with the introduction of literally hundreds of different flavored liquors and mixers, it can be any flavor you want. Sweet or bitter, with gin, rum or vodka, fruity or salty; the possibilities are endless. And with vendors like Grey Goose, Trump, Three Olives, Stoli, 42 Below and Bacardi present at this year's Martini Festival, guests are sure to find their own "signature drink."

But if you're like me, you like to prepare for things well in advance. I didn't want to walk into this festival clueless, aimlessly wandering about the tents, handing over my plastic cup to any vendor with brightly colored booze. And luckily this city has me covered with endless educational opportunities abound in the form of the ever-popular Martini Night.

MARTINI 101

Tuesday nights aren't exactly known as a big "going out" night and yet with $3 double-shot martinis now being offered at McGuire's, I think that could change. It felt slightly odd, not ordering a beer at a bar that has its own brewery, but refreshing. Eyeing the menu, I ordered a starter martini.

 The Cosmopolitan (Cointreau, Citron Vodka with cranberry juice and lime) went surprisingly well with Boxty.

While sitting there I overheard a hundred Martini orders; all different, all unique, and all sounding like instructions for a new dance craze-"shake it," "stir it," "strain it," "twist it."

How did it ever get to this level?

Actually, it all began with Francois de Boe Sylvius, a 17th century Dutch medical professor. He created a concoction of Juniper Berry oil and grain alcohol, originally prescribed to relieve patients of stomach aches, gallstones and gout. Today his creation is known as gin-the foundation for the original martinis.

Medicinal purposes were clearly not my objective when I walked into 600 South Thursday night for $5 Ladies Night Martini. The exposed brick, soft red lighting, high-backed velvety chairs and soft jazz music playing in the background make this place a fantastic martini lounge. Luckily my drink simply added to the ambience. It looked so ornate one could have replaced the candles on each table with a drink instead. Its taste was light and fruity. A superb combination of Dragonberry Bacardi, pomegranate syrup, fresh squeezed limes and a splash of soda whimsically named the "Dreaming Dragon."

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

In all honesty, the drink I have been dreaming of is the winner of last year's Martini Festival. Created by Chad Boltz, it's called "The Turtle-Tini" and is a mixture of Sailor Jerry's Rum, Three Olives Rootbeer and Three Olives Vanilla with caramel, chocolate and cream. And this year promises to have even more creative entries as the event continues to draw the region's best bartenders for its "Gulf Coast Bartender" competition. Contestants will have three minutes to create a Martini that will be judged upon presentation, taste, originality & mixology.

The festival not only offers guests a chance to taste different liquors from over 16 vendors in either straight or martini form, it also benefits the area. Unlike other events, all ticket sales go to benefit area charities such as Perdido Bay Youth Sports, Relay for Life and Covenant Hospice. If you need a break from your martini research, craft and art booths will be on site, as well as food vendors. And make sure you catch the "Extreme Bartending Show," to watch professional bartenders show off their "flair" work.

My "things I don't know" list has shortened this week. Martinis were crossed off as well as "random knowledge about Ian Fleming and 16th century Dutch professors." Chances are Ian Fleming would have scoffed at my choice of cocktails, but that's beside the point. The martini can match your shoes, replace your dessert or give you something to look forward to at the end of the week-or Tuesday night. And that is reason enough to have another. See you at the festival.

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